Supporting structure

ABSTRACT

A supporting structure is made up of a plurality of different structural elements or trusses each of which includes flanges which, for example, may be oriented in a vertical plane or in an oblique plane so that the individual elements may be interconnected to form a supporting structure for example, for buildings, halls, sheds or the like. The individual supporting elements include a truss adapted for use as a beam element which may be arranged in a completed structure as a cross member or beam, or as a vertical member or end support. The beam element includes two spaced apart chords which may be arranged for example, in parallel relationship and which include flanges at each end which are advantageously arranged so that the flange connecting face of the two spaced apart members are oriented at the respective ends in a common plane. The structural elements also include a truss adapted for use as a column, eave or edge element which comprises spaced chord members which are interconnected by suitable bracing struts which hold them in a defined orientation, for example, in spaced parallel relationship. The upper end of this member advantageously includes an obliquely extending or horizontally extending cross beam element which together with a lower cross beam strut member terminate in flanges in a vertical plane to facilitate the juncture of the eave member to a connecting cross beam member having flanges at the connecting end which are oriented in the same vertical plane. In addition to the eave elements and the beam elements there is also provided a base element having a lower portion which defines either a horizontal flat supporting base or a wheeled supporting structure. The base element also includes flanges oriented in a plane for connection to one or more of the beam elements placed thereabove in a completed structure. A supporting structure for a whole building or hall advantageously includes a plurality of open frames of U-shaped form constructed with the beam elements, eave elements, and base elements and which are interconnected by a bar or brace element which extends either generally in a longitudinal direction or in an oblique longitudinal orientation between adjacent open frames. The basic elements are formed so that they may be interconnected in a large variety of manners to form any desired building supporting structure.

Gaspers 111 3,708,928 45] Jan.9,1973

[s41 sUPPoRTrNG STRUCTURE [75] Inventor: Gunter Gaspers,Obwalden,Switzerland 73 Assignee: Conrad Kern A.G., Zurich, Switzerland [22] Filed: April 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 25,013

[52] U.S. Cl. ..52/90, 5.2/93, 52/641, 52/645, 52/650, 52/693 [51] Int. Cl... ..E04b 7/16, E04b 7/06 [58] Field of Search ..52/90, 693, 643, 641, 639, 4 52/648, 93, 650; 182/178, 179

[56]. References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,470,661 10/1969 Johnson ..52/93 1,363,407 12/1920 Goudie ..52/693 X 3,058,549 10/1962 Anderson ....52/90 x 3,389,514 6/1968 Horvath ..52/90 3,499,872 6/1969 Craighead et al ..52/69O X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,348,548 1964 France ..l82/179 1,514,273 1968 France ...l82/l78 309,585 g 1933 ltaly ..52/93 511,262 1959 Italy ..52/64l 987,706 1951 France ....52 /90 1,163,809 1958 France 52/90 765,688 1957 Great Britain ..52/90 Primary ExaminerFrank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-Henry E. Raduazo Attorney-McGlew and Toren 57 v ABSTRACT A supporting structure is made upof a plurality of different structural elements or trusses each of which includes flanges which, for example, may be oriented in a vertical plane or in an oblique plane so that the individual elements may bednterconnected to form a supporting structure for example, for buildings, halls, sheds or the like. The individual supporting elements include a truss adapted for use as a beam element which may be arranged in a completed structure as a cross member or beam, or as a vertical member or end support. The beam element includes two spaced apart chords which may be arranged for example, in parallel relationship and which include flanges at each end which are advantageously arranged so that the flange connecting face of the two spaced apart members are oriented at the respective ends in a common plane. The structural elements also include a truss adapted for use as a column, eave or edge element which comprises spaced chord members which are interconne'cted by suitable bracing struts which hold them in a defined orientation,- for example, in spaced parallel relationship. The upper end of this member advantageously includes an obliquely extending or horizontally extending I Cross beam element which together with a lower cross beam strut member terminate in flanges in avertical plane to facilitate the juncture of the cave member to a connecting cross beam member having flanges at the connecting end which are oriented in the same vertical plane. In addition to the eave elements and the beam elements there is also provided a base element having a lower portion which defines either a horizontal flat supporting base or a wheeled supporting structure. The base element also includes flanges oriented in a'plane for connection to one or more of the beam elements placed thereabove in a completed structure. A supporting structure for a whole-building or hall advantageously includes a plurality of open frames of U-shaped form constructed with the beam elements, eave elements,

and base elements and which are interconnected by a bar or brace element which extends either generally in a longitudinal direction or in an oblique longitudinal orientation between adjacent openframes. Thebasic elements are formed so that they may be interconnected in a large variety of manners to form any desired building supporting structure.

8 Claims, 8 DrawingFigures United States Patent 1 in] 3,708,928

7 Ga spers I 451 Jan. 9,1973

PATENTEUJAN 9 197a SHEET 1 [1F 3 INVENTOR. shun-IR GnsPERs QTroRuEys PATENTEDJAH 91975 3.708 928 sum 2 OF 3 v N INVENTOR. V

GUNTEK GHSPEKS BY WifiwMWJZ/rt HTFOR N678 PAIENIEDJAH 9 ms SHEET 30F 3 Fig. 6

INVENTOR. H

u G-UNTER GHSPERS HTI'ORNEYS 1 SUPPORTING STRUCTURE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to building structures and in particular, to a new and useful building structure made up of a plurality of different types of individual supporting structural elements or trusses each of which terminate in joining flanges at their respective ends to facilitate their interengagement with another element. 7

The present invention is particularly applicable to the formation of supporting structures for halls or sheds and particularly temporary halls or sheds such as wheeled coverings for road buildings, or sheds which are employed in the construction of buildings or which form temporary storing halls. The invention is an improvement over the prior art particularly in respect to the constructional details of the individual support elements and also in respect to a completed building structure formed of interconnected elements. In accordance with the invention, a complete building support structure may be formed from pie-formed building elements of basic construction. The building elements include a beam or end support element or truss which is formed by spaced apart chord members which are interconnected by bracing elements or struts which extend obliquely. The chord elements may be oriented such that they are parallel or if desired such that one of the ends converge or diverge. Each of the beam or end support elements advantageously have flanges at their common ends with engaging ends or coupling surfaces which are disposed in a common plane, for example, in a vertical plane, or in an oblique plane. The beam or end supporting elements may be interconnected, for example, either to the bottom end or the side end of another supporting element which comprises a column, eave or edge element or truss. The column, eave or edge element advantageously includes spaced chord members which are advantageously interconnected by bracing struts and held, for example, in a spaced parallel relationship such that the chord elements may, for example, be oriented vertically. The column or eave elements also include a top chord member or outer element which, for example, may form a beam structure and which may if desired be oriented to extend obliquely or at an angle from the horizontal. The column or eave element terminates, for example, at an end of one of the struts and also at the end of one of the cross beam members in flanges which, for example, may be oriented in a common plane which is identical with the common plane of the-flanges of a beam element which is to be joined thereto and which is to extend transversely therefrom. The column or eave element may be connected at its lower end through appropriate flanges at such ends to one or more side support members or to an additional member in the form of a base element. The base element advantageously includes either a structure with a flat base plate at its lower end or one which is provided with a supporting wheel. The base cludes a male engaging member which may be a'ccomm'odated with a socket in the form of sleevemember which is carried on each of the beam elements and cave elements at spaced locations along their lengths. The

I male engaging part carried on the bar members advantageously includes a ratchet or lock member which is depressed during entrance of the male member into the sleeve but which will engage behind the sleeve member when assembled. A complete structural framing for a hall or shed advantageously includes only the basic elements enumerated above or one or more additional elements in accordance with requirements such as special members for forming an opening in a side wall of a hall for example. A feature of the invention constructed is that all of the individual elements may be ,pre-formed and made up in a plurality of sizes of a few standardized elements.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved building support structure which is made up of a plurality of. individual elementsv of predetermined constructional form, the elements including flanges at their ends to facilitate interconnecting of the elements, and all elements including load carrying outer chord members and interconnecting bracing.

A further object of the invention isto provide individual structural elements or trusses of standardized form, each of which advantageously includes spaced apart chord members interconnected and reinforced'by cross struts or braces and terminating in flanges at the ends of the chord members, the flanges at the common ends being oriented in a common plane which, for example, may be vertical or oblique. I

, A further object of the invention is to provide a building structure and individual structural elements for a building which are simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture. I

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed'to and forming a part of this specification. Fora better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are-illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

element includes flanges at its upper end which may be forming open U-shaped frames from a combination of the beam elements, column or eave elements and base BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 3is a side elevational view of another embodiment of aneave element, the first embodiment being shown at the top of FIG. 2; p

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of base element, the other embodiment being shown at the bottom of FIG. 3;

H6. 5 "is a side elevational view showing two separated beam elements in position for assembly together andof slightly modified construction from that indicated in'FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of an assembly for a top side piece at the location of a door opening of the building indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged exploded fragmentary perspective view indicating the mannervin which the elements are interconnected; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial top perspective view indicating the connection of the brace elements to the frame of the building indicated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 'OFTHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention As best indicated in FIG. 5, one or more beam or end support elements or trusses 32 of selected lengths, for example, elements 32a and 32b may be joined together in accordance with the desired vertical or horizontal dimension which is to be achieved, with their respective chords 38 and 38', and 40 and 40 in end-abutting embodied therein in FIG. 1, comprises a building generally designated 10 which is made up of a plurality of pre-formed individual structural elements which may be easily interconnected and assembled together into an infinite variety of different structures of various heights, widths, and depths, for example, such as the hallstructure indicated. v

In accordance'with the invention, the reinforced structure 10 is made up of a plurality of separate inverted U-shaped frame assemblies generally designated 12,14, 16, 18 and 20in FlG.-1. Each frame assembly 12 to 20 is made of individual standardized structural elements which are selected as to size and joined together to form the variouslframe assemblies. .In-the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the frame assemblies 12,14, 18, and 20 include an upright side, support assembly or column generally designated 22 arranged on each side and obliquely extending beam or roof assemblies 24and 26 which intersect centrally at a peak 28 between the side support assemblies 22, 22. The frame assembly 16 is located centrally within an access or door opening 30so that it only includes a single side support assembly 22.

relation. The slope and the connections of the flange elements 44 determine the manner in which the individual elements will be oriented in respect to the horizontal or the vertical.

In accordance with a feature of the construction, I

or braces 50'which extendin a straight longitudinal direction for interconnecting frame assemblies suchas the frame assemblies 12 and 14 or extend obliquely or diagonally between the connecting frame assemblies.

Each side support assembly or column 22 will normally. include a base element 34 which comprises a flat base member 52 having an angled flatbase and "carrying achord member 54 on at least'one side which hasa flange 44 at its upper end arranged for engagement with the flange 44 ofthe beam element 32. At the opposite end, 'the base plate 52 is provided with a flange 44 and the two flanges are oriented in the same plane as definedby the 'flanges44 of the end support element 1 32. Instead of the baseelement 34, an alternate base In accordance with a feature of the invention, each side assemblyor-column 22 may be formed as best indicated in FIG.- 2, from a plurality of individual standardized elements including a beam or-end support element or truss generally designated 32, a base element generally designated'34 and atop column oreave element or truss generally designated 36.

The, beam, or end support element or truss 32 includes two spaced chords or tubular members 38 and 40 which are held in a fixed orientation and reinforced by diagonal or obliquely extending tubular struts or braces 42 arranged in sinuousangularor geniculate pattern or configuration. The chords or tubular members38 and 40,;in the arrangement indicated in FIG. 2, are held substantially parallel to'each other by the struts 42but they may of course be formed by the struts such that they diverge or converge at a selected end.

' The respective ends ofthe chord 3 8 are offset from the 1 ing flange '44'exte'nding outwardly therearound and disposed at a common angle to the horizontal in a plane which permits them to be joined to similar flange elements'44 ofthe top column or eave element 36 orthe base element 3 4.

element 34' may be employed and this elementineludes chord members 54' and 56 which are held in spaced parallel orientation by cross struts 42'. The upper ends of the chords 54yand 56 are providedwith flanges 44 as in the otherembodiments. The lower end of thechord 56 provides'a'mounting for a caster or bracket 58 carrying-a wheel '60 which maybe pivoted or arranged for movement of the associated frame in'a desired direction, for example, in a longitudinal direction. I

The top column or eave element or truss36 includes parallelly arranged tubular chords 62 and 64 which are held in spaced relationship in a rhomboidal configuration and reinforcedfor loading by tubularcross strut members, 66arrangedin sinuous angular or geniculate pattern. or configuration. In addition to;the obliquely extending cross strut member 66, the column'element 36 includes a horizontally extending cross strut tubular member 68 which is substantially perpendicular, to the chords- 62 and 64, and is continued by a widened portion 7.0 atthe exterior- (inside) of thelnormally'inner chord 64 and terminatesin a flange, ,44 which I is disposed in a verticalplane. A top forming tubular chord member'72. extends from the top endof theout'er chord 62 to the top end of the inner .chord 64 and its axis" is disposed obliquely upwardly. The top forming chord 72 closes one endof the column element rhomboidal configuration, the remaining end thereof being open,'and the chord 72 forms the topof thecolumn element or truss 36vwhen in normal use. The inner, noris in the same vertical plane as the flange carried by the widened portion 70 such plane being parallel to the chords 62 and 64.

An alternate embodiment of the top column element 36 as indicated in FIG. 3 includes chords 62 and 64' of much lesser height than the embodiment indicated in FIG. 2. In addition, flanges 44 at the lower ends of the chord 62' and 64' are oriented to define an oblique angle extending in an upward direction toward the exterior of the frame structure. This means that it can be joined to the next subjacent element such as a side support element 32 when the latter is arranged in a reversed position from that indicated in FIG. 2.

As indicated in FIG. 2, a beam support element or truss 32' may be joined to a side support assembly or column 22. For this arrangement chords 40' and 38" are held by the struts 42" in a manner such that the chord axes extend upwardly toward the center of the frame structure. One or more of the beam support elements32, for example, of thetypeindicated at 324 and 32b of FIG. Smay be added until the desired center of the frame structure and the peak 28 as indicated in FIG. I is obtained. In this manner, a frame assembly 12 or the like is assembled, with the complete roof assembly 24, 26 including as the outermost elements 2 thereof two beam support elements or trusses 32' respectively connected to the top column elements or trusses 36 of the spaced apart side support assemblies or columns 22. The 'roof trusses 32, 32a and 32b are interconnected and connected to the column trusses 36, by means of the several abutting flanges 44, to provide a pitched roof. The upper chords 72,40", 38 and 38" of the several trusses are in coaxial alignment.

The individual frame elements 12, l4, l6 and 18, and 20 are interconnected both by parallelly arranged brace elements 50 and obliquely arranged brace elements 50 which are located at the top, or roof, and at the side. The braces 50 which are inclined relative to the associated lower beam element 32 or top column element 36 form wind braces and are only necessary when wind forces are expected to be active on the structure. As indicated in FIG. 8, the sleeves 46 are arranged with openings 46a oriented at the top and they are located as necessary to provide for the many connections of the braces 50 which may be desired. Thus, pairs of first and second sleeves 46 are mounted on the truss chords 38, 38', 40", 62, 72, and others, with the sleeves in each pair in adjacent staggered relation for accommodating braces extending obliquely with respect to each other. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the sleeves are arranged with adjacent pairs of sleeves disposed on opposite sides of each chord, for mounting braces extending in opposite directions from the chord. The male elements 48 carry pivotal locking members or pawls 74 which are deflected inwardly when the male members 48 are inserted into the socket-46 but which engage behind the sockets after they are in position'so that they prevent withdrawal or removal of the braces 50. I

In FIG. 7, two elements, for example, such as two beam forming elements 32a and 32b are fitted together so that the flanges 44 thereof abut and these flanges are secured together by inserting a bolt '76 through the openings 78 provided in the flanges and securing it in position with'a suitable nut 80. l

In order to facilitate the formation of the structure at the location of the center cross frame 16, separate adthereof. The assembly shown in FIG. 6 includes two beam elements 32 and a central element 84 interconnected therebetween. The element 84 includes a central beam member 86 which is secured to an outer end I of an associated beam support element 32.

What is claimed is:

1. A supporting structure, particularly for use as a temporary structure, comprising a frame assembly, said frame assembly comprising atl'east one upright side support assembly and a roof assembly connected to and extending obliquely outwardly from the upper end of said upright side support assembly, said roof assembly includingat least one beam element, said upright side support assembly comprising at least a baseelernent and an eave element extending upwardly above said base element, said eave element comprising an upwardly extending outer chord and an upwardly extending inner chord, said outer and inner chords being disposed in laterally spaced relationship, a plurality of strut members positioned obliquely of said outer and inner chords with each strut member being connected at one end to said outer chord and at its other end to said inner chord, a top chord connected to and extending between the upper ends of said outer and inner chords, said top chord extending obliquely of said outer and inner'chords and extending upwardly from said outer chord to saidinner chord, means for connecting the upper end of said eave element to said roof assembly and the lower end of said eave elementvto the subjacent element of said upright side support assembly, said means including a pair of first flange members each secured to a different one of said outer and inner chords at the lower ends thereof, each said'first flange member extending transversely of and laterally outwardly from the chord to which it is secured, a second flange member secured to the upper end of said eave element in alignment with said top chord and adjacent the intersection of said inner chord and top chord, said second flange member extending transversely of and laterally outwardly from said top chord, and a third flange member secured to saidinner chord at a position spaced below the upper end of said inner chord, said first flange members being located in the same plane, said second and third flange members being located in the same plane, said base element including a pair of fourth flange members being disposed in the same plane and the plane ofsaid fourth flange members being disposed in parallel relationship with the plane of said first flange members, saidbeam element comprising a pair of laterally spaced chords, a'

- said chords of said beam element to adjacent elements of said frame assembly, said means. including a fifth flange member located on each end of each of said chords of, said beam element, said fifth flange members being disposed transversely of said chords of said beam element and extending laterally outwardly from said chord said'frfth flange members located at the same endsof said chords being disposed in the same plane, at least one said beam element forming said roof assembly and being connected to and extending obliquely upwardly, from'the upper end of said eave element and having its chords disposed one above the other with the upper one of said chords disposed in alignment with the top chord of said eave element.

2; A supporting structure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base element comprises a base plate, at least one -chordextending upwardly from said base plate, said pair of fourth flange members disposed on said base element being arranged with one of saidfourth flange members located on the upper end of said wherein said struts are formed of tubular members.

5. A supporting structure, as set'forth in'clairn 1,

wherein said base element com rises an upwardly exsaid eave element, strut members extending obliquely between and connected to said inner and outer chords, a wheel connected to the lower endof said outer chord, and said pair of fourth flange inembei's being arranged each mounted on the top of a different one of said inner and outer chords of said base element.

6. A supporting structure, asset forth in claim 1, wherein a cross strut member is connected to and'ero tends transversely of said outer chord and said inner chord of said eave element, said cross strut member extending obliquely of said strut members of said eave element and located adjacent the upper end of said eave element, and vthe end of said cross strut member connected to said inner chord is aligned with said third flange member,

7. A supporting structure; as set forth in claim '1, wherein said upright side support assembly includes at least one of said beam element's arranged between said baseelernent and said eave elementwith'said chords of said beam element in said upright side support as-' semblyextending upwardly and with one of said chords of said beam element in alignment with said inner chord of said eave element and the other said chord'of said beam element in alignment with said outer chord of said eave element. f

8. A supporting structure, as set forth in claim-1,

wherein said top chord extends from said innerchord I11 thedirection away from said outer chord and said second flange-is secured to the end of said top chord 

1. A supporting structure, particularly for use as a temporary structure, comprising a frame assembly, said frame assembly comprising at least one upright side support assembly and a roof assembly connected to and extending obliquely outwardly from the upper end of said upright side support assembly, said roof assembly including at least one beam element, said upright side support assembly comprising at least a base element and an eave element extending upwardly above said base element, said eave element comprising an upwardly extending outer chord and an upwardly extending inner chord, said outer and inner chords being disposed in laterally spaced relationship, a plurality of strut members positioned obliquely of said outer and inner chords with each strut member being connected at one end to said outer chord and at its other end to said inner chord, a top chord connected to and extending between the upper ends of said outer and inner chords, said top chord extending obliquely of said outer and inner chords and extending upwardly from said outer chord to said inner chord, means for connecting the upper end of said eave element to said roof assembly and the lower end of said eave element to the subjacent element of said upright side support assembly, said means including a pair of first flange members each secured to a different one of said outer and inner chords at the lower ends thereof, each said first flange member extending transversely of and laterally outwardly from the chord to which it is secured, a second flange member secured to the upper end of said eave element in alignment with said top chord and adjacent the intersection of said inner chord and top chord, said second flange member extending transversely of and laterally outwardly from said top chord, and a third flange member secured to said inner chord at a position spaced below the upper end of said inner chord, said first flange members being located in the same plane, said second and third flange members being located in the same plane, said base element including a pair of fourth flange members being disposed in the same plane and the plane of said fourth flange members being disposed in parallel relationship with the plane of said first flange members, said beam element comprising a pair of laterally spaced chords, a plurality of strut members positioned obliquely of and extending between and connected to said chords of said beam element, means for connecting the ends of said chords of said beam element to adjacent elements of said frame assembly, said means including a fifth flange member located on each end of each of said chords of said beam element, said fifth flange members being disposed transversely of said chords of said beam element and extending laterally outwardly from said chords, said fifth flange members located at the same ends of said chords being disposed in the same plane, at least one said beam element forming said roof assembly and being connected to and extending obliquely upwardly from the upper end of said eave element and having its chords disposed one above the other with the upper one of said chords disposed in alignment with the top chord of said eave element.
 2. A supporting structure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base elemenT comprises a base plate, at least one chord extending upwardly from said base plate, said pair of fourth flange members disposed on said base element being arranged with one of said fourth flange members located on the upper end of said chord thereon, and said fourth flange members being arranged to be attached to flange members on the lower end of the element forming the part of said upright side support assembly positioned immediately above said base element.
 3. A supporting structure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein open ended sleeves are secured to said outer chord of said eave element and to said upper chord of said beam element in said roof assembly, and bracing elements are connected into said sleeves for effecting bracing between adjacent said frame assemblies.
 4. A supporting structure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said struts are formed of tubular members.
 5. A supporting structure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said base element comprises an upwardly extending inner chord and an upwardly extending outer chord spaced laterally from said inner chord in substantially the same spacing as said inner and outer chords of said eave element, strut members extending obliquely between and connected to said inner and outer chords, a wheel connected to the lower end of said outer chord, and said pair of fourth flange members being arranged each mounted on the top of a different one of said inner and outer chords of said base element.
 6. A supporting structure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a cross strut member is connected to and extends transversely of said outer chord and said inner chord of said eave element, said cross strut member extending obliquely of said strut members of said eave element and located adjacent the upper end of said eave element, and the end of said cross strut member connected to said inner chord is aligned with said third flange member.
 7. A supporting structure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said upright side support assembly includes at least one of said beam elements arranged between said base element and said eave element with said chords of said beam element in said upright side support assembly extending upwardly and with one of said chords of said beam element in alignment with said inner chord of said eave element and the other said chord of said beam element in alignment with said outer chord of said eave element.
 8. A supporting structure, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said top chord extends from said inner chord in the direction away from said outer chord and said second flange is secured to the end of said top chord which extends from said inner chord. 